Cool Weather Draws Crowds To Artscape

Kids play hand crafted drums at the Dialogue + exhibit at Artscape. (WBAL's Robert Lang)

Sandeep Thakrar of Mechnaicsburg, PA, and his children, Dylan, Ahmet and Anya, show off some "spin art" they made at Artscape. (WBAL's Robert Lang)

The misting tent at Artscape (WBAL's Robert Lang)

WBAL's Robert Lang reports on a unique workout at Artscape that helps create art. Download This File

Brittney-Elizabeth Williams and Bunny Vish'us talk about No Pants No Problem, which is being organized at Artscape for Saturday. Download This File

The Friday afternoon crowd at Artscape. (WBAL's Anne Kramer)

This giant turtle is made of plastic bags, and it's on display at Artscape. (WBAL's Anne Kramer)

Baltimore's annual celebration of the arts usually occurs at a time of year with temperatures nearing 100 degrees, and high humidity.

The festival opened late Friday morning under very different conditions, more welcome to festival goers.

Temperatures were in the low 80's when the gates opened at 11 a.m.

"It is very beautiful," said Alisha Cisse of Baltimore who was visiting the festival with her son and daughter.

"I didn't come last year, but I know a few years ago it was sweltering."

There were lines at food vendors, but barely a line at the misting tents which are designed to keep people cool.

The festival continues until 9 p.m. today, and runs from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday in Mount Royal.

Silent! Disco in Pearlstone Park, Dance! at The Lyric, kinetic contraptions along Mount Royal Avenue, ballroom dancing on Charles Street and the new Aerial Arts Arena will make up this year's festivities.

America's largest free arts festival features live music of various genres on three outdoor stages, a full schedule of theater, dance and opera performances, in addition to classical, acappella and experimental music, street theater, fine art and crafts from more than 100 artisans in the Artists' Market, world famous art cars, the Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize Semi-finalists Exhibition, film, children's activities, exhibitors and an assortment of food and beverages.

Artscape is presented by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.

For social media, Artscape lovers can also share their excitement on Facebook, be a part of the conversation by following @ArtscapeBmore on Twitter and Instagram, using #artscape2014.

Some Artscape Attendees To Give Up Pants to Make Statement

While there are plenty of official events at Artscape, there is one unofficial event that asks people to take off their pants and walk through the festival.

Performance artists Brittney-Elizabeth Williams, and her sister Bunny Vish'us are organizing the march which will start at the Charm City Art Space on Maryland Avenue.

Williams says there is a serious message behind the event known as "No Pants, No Problem."

"We wanted to start a conversation about respect. We're saying basically that you should be able to wear anything you please, or in another words, be yourself and not have to worry about the judgement and prosecution of others," Williams told WBAL News.

'We really want to, in a sort of exaggerated way admittedly, draw attention to the fact that usually people who are perceived as different feel uncomfortable being themselves," Vishu'us told WBAL News.

"To include people who are part of the transgender community, people who are bullied, people who are black, people who are gay, and we want to be able to serve as an example, that you can be yourself, and maybe other people won't like it, but they should respect it."

Williams says she expects several hundred people to participate in this flash mob, which is being organized on Facebook.

Williams notes that she was part of a smaller group of people who marched without pants during last month's Pridefest parade in Mount Vernon, which honored gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender rights.

Williams says her group received a lot of positive feedback from the crowd.

Vish'us added that what they are doing Saturday is not salacious.

"It's not going to be any less than what you will see at a beach. We're going to have shirts on, shoes on. We're just going to have underwear on. We're just trying to make a statement. We're not going to be too outrageous," Vish'us added.